A New Week

Well, it is back to work for me in the AM. I know it could not be avoided, but it hurts me to have to go back so soon. It is a new job, and I was only there for 1 month before I had to take a "leave" for the adoption, so there was no other way. I know Matt will have a great time with the kids, and they need that special time as well.

We are all starting to settle into a routine now-although we hope it will not be our normal routine. ChallieJayne has been very sick-pneumonia that will not go away. One ER trip, 2 doctor appointments, 2 rounds of antibiotics, 2 rounds of oral steroids, and 8 breathing treatments per day (all multiple times per day)-not to mention her treatment for an intestinal parasite. That in itself is a part time job. We had to make a medication chart to keep up with everything! We also think she has a couple of food allergies, so we are trying to solve that puzzle as well.

AlinaJayne is still very......"Mothering" to ChallieJayne, but she is doing much better this week. ChallieJayne is finally allowing me to be out of her sight without having a meltdown! Thank you Jesus!

The other "fun" at this house is our "program" to get the girls to sleep upstairs in their own room. Or should I say, AlinaJayne? She has slept with us in our bed since we came home from China over 4 years ago, so this has been tough for her. In fact, she didn't even want to sleep up there with *me* in the room. She wanted all 4 of us to be in our bed downstairs, or all 4 of us in their room. ChallieJayne does not like to co-sleep, so this was not happening! I spent the first 2 weeks home sleeping upstairs with them to get them used to the room-and I spent the last 2 weeks rolling off of the twin bed onto the floor every time I tried to roll over! This week, it is Matt's turn, so I get OUR bed! YAY! His plan is to gradually leave them up there to sleep alone starting this week. Wish us luck! He even "bribed" them by adding a TV and DVD player to their room today. In all fairness, we have our TV on in the bedroom all night, so AlinaJayne is used to that. Plus, ChallieJayne is used to the noise of an orphanage, so this will help her too.

Tomorrow is ChallieJayne's first (of what will be many) dental appointments. She needs a LOT of work. I hope she cooperates-the language barrier makes it tough.

More later. Enjoy the pic.